Switch-contact bank



Sept. 15, 1925.

H. w. GOFF- SWITCH CONTACT BANK Filed Feb. 28, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet lSept. 15, I925.

" H. w. GOFF SWITCH CONTACT BANK Filed Feb. 28, 1923 2 Sheets-Shut 2//7z/e/7/0/: Ham/d I44 Goff Patented Sept, 15 m UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HAROLD WHEELER GOFF, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRICCOM- PANY, INCORPORATED, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

SWITCH-CONTACT BANK.

Application filed February 28, 1923. Serial No. 621,758.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IAROLD W. Gorr, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at New York, in the county ofNew York and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSwitch-Contact Banks, of which the following is a' full, clear, concise,and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements n switch contact banks. Moreparticularly, 1t refers to a grid of wire contacts such as are used inthe coordinate switch structure of the type disclosed in Patent1,517,425 issued to Charles J. He ndrickson et al. on December 2, 1924.

The object of the invention is the production of a grid of wire contactsfor a telephone switch which will be simple, reliable, and cheap tomanufacture.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a frame andnovel fastening means thereon, whereby the contact w1res are positivelyheld against longitudinal movement.

Another featureof this invention is the provision of notched insulatingbars by which the cross wires are held in parallel and spaced relationto each other and se cured against lateral movement.

Other features of this invention will appear from the followingdescription and the appended claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 1s a plan and partial sectionalview of a coordinate switch showing the improved grid in cross-sectiontaken approximately on line AB of Fig. 4, Fig. 2 is a right-hand sideview of the switch shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a partial front view of aset of active and passive contacts showing the camming card in normalnon-operated position, Fig. 4 is a front assembly View of said grid,Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective and partial assembly view of the wirefastening device showing a strip of yieldable material and a reenforcingstrip partially cut away and Fig. 6 is a perspective and partial view ofan insulating weft bar used in the grid shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a coordinate switch structure in which the wire gridshown and described in this specification is particularly adapted foruse. The switch structure, generally, comprises a plurality of sets ofactive contact wires 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, etc., secured 111 rows insupporting members 16,

'etc. A camming card 17 is provided for the cards through engagementwith the supportlng springs 19 when conditioned by the operation of thevertical selecting bars 20.

F or each selecting bar 20, there is provided an electromagnet 24adapted to attract its armature 25 in response to each energization andto rotate the bar 20 to position wherein the cams 21 intercept thenormal path of the lifting fingers 23 as shown at 28 in Figs. 1 and 2.For each operating bar 22, there is provided an electromagnet 26 adaptedto attract its armature 27 and to rotate the bar in response to eachenergization. When the operating bar 22 is moved out of its normalposition as indicated in Fig. 2, the lifting finger coming in contactwith the cam 21 is deviated from its normal path and engages itsassociated supportlng spring 19 whereby the contact wires 13, 14 and 15,associated therewith are brought into engagement with their asso ciatedgrid wires 42, 43 and 44.

The wire grid adapted for use in the coordinate switch structure abovereferred to, comprises preferably a rectangular shaped frame in whichthe bars 30 and the grid wires 31 are held secured. The grid wires 31and the insulating bars 30 are interwoven. The bars 30 are disposed atregular intervals across the frame and held thereon by means of strips32 and 33 which are secured to the frame 29 by means of a number ofscrews 34, 35, etc.

The bars 30 are preferably made of molded material and the notches 36are molded therein across its opposite faces as shown in Fig. 6. Thenotches 36 are provided for locating the grid wires 31 in spacedrelation with reference to their associated active contacts 13, 14, 15,as shown in the partial view of Figs. 2 and 3 and to hold them securelyin position against lateral movement in order to assure positivecontacts when the active contacts are brought into engagement therewithas indicated by the operated set of active contacts shown in Fig. 2.

The fastening portions 37 of grid wires a2, 43, etc. are preferablycrimped and are rigidly attached on two opposite sides of the frame, bymeans of yieldable insulating strips 38 and reenforcing plates 39securely fastened on the grid frame by means of a number of screws 40.As shown by the enlarged view of Figs. 5 and 6, the crimped ends of thewires are positioned between the yieldable strips and the screws 40 arethen tightened to such an extent that indentures similar in shape tothat of the crimped portions of the wires are impressed into theyieldabl strips and the grid wires are thereby eiliciently securedagainst longitudinal movement Should it be desired to replace the gridwires 42, 43, etc. the screws 40 may be loosened to permit for suchreplacements.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a grid of wire contacts, the combination of a frame, a pluralityof contact wires arranged by sets thereon, a plurality of insulatingelements attached to said frame with which .said wires are interwoven,curved portions on each of said wires, and means on said frame fordetachably engaging the curved portions of said wires to secure themagainst lengthwise movement on said frame.

2. In a switching device, the combination of a grid comprising aplurality of contact wires having their end portions crimped, notchedstrips of insulation for locating and supporting said contact wires, aframe therer for, and means for detachal'ily fastening the crimped endportions of said wires on said frame.

3. In a contact bank, the combination of a plurality of contact wireseach having its end portion crimped, a plurality of notched elements ofinsulation with which said wires are interwoven, a frame therefor, andmeans on said frame for removably engaging the crimped portions of saidwires.

4. A grid of contact wires comprising a frame, wires having their endportions crimped and removably embedded in yieldable insulating materialreinforced by rigid strips which are attached to said frame whereby saidwires are restrained from longitudinal movement, and strips ofinsulating material woven between said wires and having notches formedtherein at the crossing pont-s of said strips and wires whereby saidwires are restrained against lateral movement.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day ofFebruary A. 1)., 1923.

HAROLD lVI-IEELER GOFF.

